Royal dissotis
Dissotis princeps
Family: Melastomataceae
What it is like
An evergreen shrub. It grows 2.5 m high and spreads 2 m wide. The stem is erect and slender. It is hairy. The leaves are green and opposite. They are sword shaped and have parallel veins. The flowers are a blue to purple colour. They have 5 petals. They are in clusters at the ends of the branches. There are two varieties.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It is best in rich, fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It needs a open shaded position. It is damaged by drought or frost. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,200-2,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa (country/location of origin), Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked and eaten.
They are a famine food.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Musukandarira, Rusukandarira, Sichobochono, Umpongamponga